Maritime ceremonies mark Day Of Mourning

Annual event pays tribute to people who have died from injuries suffered at work

People gathered at the Lily Lake Pavilion in Saint John for the National Day of Mourning ceremony. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)

Ceremonies were held in communities across the Maritimes Sunday to remember people who have died from injuries they suffered on the job.

The Canadian Labour of Congress estimates four people die every day in Canada from injuries suffered at the workplace.

In New Brunswick, 12,000 people were injured on the job in 2012 according to the Federation of Labour. Eleven people died from their injuries.

Michel Boudreau, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, said the Day of Mourning is an important event to raise awareness.

"So hopefully next year the number will be zero when we talk on the 28th of April," he said. "I urge everybody to take time, to think about it, those who have had accidents in the workplace and also I urge everybody to think about health and safely at their working place."

Tragic year in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians held several services across the province, including a large one at the Fishermen's Memorial site in Lunenburg. Eleven people have died on the job so far in 2013, including five fishermen from Woods Harbour who died when their ship overturned in February.

"Thirty over the last five years are fishers," said Rick Clark of Nova Scotia's Federation of Labour. "There are things that have to be changed."

Event marks 29 years

On Prince Edward Island, the ceremony at Province House also paid tribute to lives that have been lost. The flags at Charlottetown City Hall and the Charlottetown Police Station were lowered to half-mast for the day.

The Day of Mourning has been marked across Canada since 1984 when it was started by the Canadian Labour Congress.

"We feel it’s something very important that needs to be recognized," said Craig Walsh, the vice-president of the Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour.

In 2012, four Islanders died as result of work-related injuries or illnesses.